• TUs can also propose their amendments if they are not in agreement with the proposals

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

The Government would arrange a meeting with Prime Minister and all the relevant trade unions of the teacher-principal services before the budget to discuss the solutions proposed to be declared in the budget next month, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday. 

He told parliament that he would make arrangements to convene the meeting at a time convenient to the Prime Minister.

He said this responding to a question raised by National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who asked whether it was possible to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister and Trade Unions to discuss the proposals to be announced in the budget next month.

The MP said arranging such a meeting and informing the trade unions about the solutions in advance before the budget would help them to withdraw from their TU action and resume teaching activities. “TUs can also propose their amendments if they are not in agreement with the proposals,” he said. The Prime Minister was heard saying he was ready for a discussion at any time.

Minister Gunawardane said the Finance Minister would present suitable proposals for the teacher-principal issues and declare teacher service, teacher advisory service and principal services as closed services.